What does Amos 6:2 mean?
"Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?" - Amos 6:2
Amos 6:2 in the King James Version reads, "Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?"
The book of Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible and is attributed to Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah, who lived during the reign of Jeroboam II in the 8th century BCE. In this verse, Amos is addressing the wealthy and complacent people of Israel, warning them of impending judgment due to their greed, oppression of the poor, and lack of concern for the welfare of others.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. The people of Israel were enjoying a period of economic prosperity and political stability. However, this prosperity had led to social injustice and moral decay. The wealthy elite were indulging in luxury and excess while ignoring the plight of the poor and marginalized in society. Amos, speaking on behalf of God, is calling the people to repentance and warning them of the consequences of their actions.
The verse uses a series of rhetorical questions to challenge the people's pride and complacency. It mentions several prominent cities of the time, including Calneh, Hamath, and Gath, which were known for their wealth and power. By referencing these cities, Amos is highlighting the vanity and arrogance of the Israelites, who considered themselves superior to other nations. The rhetorical questions in this verse are meant to provoke introspection and self-examination among the people of Israel.
The themes present in this verse include social justice, moral accountability, and the consequences of pride and complacency. The passage serves as a warning against the dangers of wealth and power, as well as a call to humility and compassion for those less fortunate.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between the opulence of the mentioned cities and the moral bankruptcy of the people of Israel. Calneh, Hamath, and Gath were centers of wealth and influence, yet they were not immune to destruction and judgment. The comparison serves as a sobering reminder that no nation or individual is exempt from the consequences of their actions.
Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful indictment of the moral and ethical failings of the people of Israel. It challenges the reader to examine their own attitudes towards wealth, power, and social responsibility. The message of Amos is a timeless one, relevant to all societies and individuals who prioritize their own interests at the expense of others. It calls for humility, compassion, and a willingness to confront injustice in the world. In a broader sense, it reminds us that true greatness is not measured by material wealth or prestige, but by our ethical and moral character.
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Amos 6:2 - "Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?"
"Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?" - Amos 6:2
Amos 2:6 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;"
Amos 6:6 - "That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."
Amos 7:6 - "The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD."
Amos 6:5 - "That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;"
Amos 6:9 - "And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die."
Amos 6:11 - "For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts."
Amos 6:3 - "Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;"
Amos 8:6 - "That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?"
Amos 3:6 - "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?"
Amos 6:7 - "¶ Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed."
"That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph." - Amos 6:6
Amos 6:13 - "Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?"
Amos 6:1 - "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!"
Amos 8:2 - "And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more."
Amos 6:4 - "That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;"
"The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD." - Amos 7:6
Amos 6:12 - "¶ Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:"
Amos 2:12 - "But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not."
Amos 2:5 - "But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem."
Amos 2:13 - "Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves."
Amos 2:2 - "But I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:"
Amos 5:6 - "Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Beth-el."
Amos 2:16 - "And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD."
"That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;" - Amos 6:5
"¶ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;" - Amos 2:6
Amos 2:8 - "And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god."
Amos 1:6 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:"
"And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die." - Amos 6:9